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How to Make Your Dog Poop Quickly (6 Helpful Tips)

Oliver Jones

By Oliver Jones

big dog trying to poop

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Dr. Paola Cuevas

MVZ (Veterinarian)

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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As a pup parent, you may have experienced those annoying situations where your pooch seems too occupied to poop. He may be off sniffing bushes or simply just won’t relieve himself. This can cause frustration, especially if the weather is bad or you’re running late for work.

While it isn’t uncommon for canines to take a long time before pooping, it may be a symptom of an underlying health or behavioral condition. Constipation delays the process. Your pet may also be curious about his new surroundings and investigate things before squatting.

If you are wondering how to make a dog poop quickly, here are six effective ways to encourage him to do so.

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The 6 Ways to Make Your Dog Poop Quickly

1. Feed Him Canned Pumpkin

Canned pumpkin is high in water and fiber and will encourage your dog to go. Never feed your pet pumpkin pie filling or puree, as both contain added sugar. Treat your dog to one teaspoon of the canned pumpkin per 10 pounds of his body weight. Coconut oil and olive oil also work but they are calorie-dense, so you have to take the extra calories into consideration to prevent weight gain.


2. Add Fiber and Probiotics

Search for a way of adding fiber and probiotics to your dog’s diet. The probiotics help recover healthy gut bacteria while the dietary fibers encourage regular bowel movements. You can find ready-made probiotic formulations, prepare them at home, or add goat’s milk to your dog’s diet. Adding a tsp of natural, unflavored Psyllium husk to your dog’s food can work wonders too. Another way of increasing the fiber content on your dog’s diet is by adding broccoli, spinach, green beans, carrots, papaya, or even apples to their food.

Additionally, you can find ready-made chew treats. That will help regulate your dog’s motility and gut health.

West Highland White Terrier dog at home eating_alejandro rodriguez_shutterstock
Image Credit: alejandro-rodriguez, Shutterstock

3. Switch to Canned Dog Food

Feeding your pet canned food can help him with his constipation troubles. Canned dog foods will add natural moisture to your pup’s body, helping to make digestion and excretion a breeze.


4. Squirting Stimulation

Squirting water into the anus will stimulate bowel movements and quickly relieve a constipated pup. While your pet may initially cringe at the cool water, he’ll be happy you’ve helped him out. Using a squirt bottle, squirt cool water at your dog’s butt. Make sure the pressure level and temperature aren’t hurting him. Repeat until your dog starts to poop.

Spray Bottle
Image Credit: Barb Crawford, Flickr

5. Manual Stimulation Method

Before attempting this method, prepare yourself for one unhappy pooch. While he may love to be petted, the anal sphincter is very sensitive and they are simply not used to a foreign object around there.

Put on a pair of clean disposable gloves. Add some lubricant to your dominant hand’s index and middle fingers. Using your fingertips, gently yet firmly press soft tissues around your pet’s anus. Firmly holding the tissue and holding your forefinger and thumb about 1 ½ inches apart, gently press inward, stimulating the rectum opening. Depending on the size and behavior of your dog, you might need to get the help of a second person for this.


6. The Ice Cube Technique

Using ice cubes is a great way to stimulate dogs to poop. What you’ll need are some ice cubes and a pair of disposable gloves. Before taking your pet outside, firmly embrace him and make him feel comfortable in your lap. Put on the gloves and gently lift your pet’s tail, using your fingers to clear his anal pathway. Insert the ice cube slowly into your dog’s sphincter and keep it in place for about 30 seconds. Your dog will attempt to shove the uncomfortable cube from him, leading to contraction. After he pushes out the ice cube, he’s also bound to push out some poo.

ice cubes
Image By: PublicDomainPictures, Pixabay

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Remedies to Avoid

Avoid these remedies when trying to get your dog to poop quicker:

  • Feeding him human laxatives
  • Adding cereal to his diet
  • Giving your dog a suppository or enema

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Final Thoughts

From dietary techniques to physical stimulation methods, you can help your pup to pass his stools quicker and alleviate constipation pain.

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Featured Image Credit: Khaligo, Pixabay

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